WOOL – Enjoy the benefits of WOOL #6
Wool is an amazing fibre, and to enjoy some of the great benefits wool - we need to be aware of what these actually are. In this 6th post in our series of “Enjoy the benefits of WOOL”, we will be focusing on the benefits that comes along with using wool fibre in your garment production, and that is study shows that wool is very good for your skin.
WOOL IS 100% BIODEGRADABLE
Wool is a natural and renewable resource. Sheep grow wool naturally and continuously – it is part of their biological anatomy. When wool is disposed of, it will naturally decompose in soil in a matter of months or years, slowly releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth. Synthetic fibres, on the other hand, can be extremely slow to degrade and significantly contribute to the world’s overflowing landfills.
Wool also biodegrades in a marine environment and does not contribute to microplastic pollution. In contrast, microfibres from synthetic textiles (microplastics) accumulate in marine environments, as well as terrestrial environments, where they damage ecosystems.
HOW DOES WOOL BIODEGRADE?
All materials of animal and vegetable origin have some degree of biodegradability, meaning that they are capable of being decomposed by the action of living organisms, such as fungi and bacteria.
Wool is composed of the natural protein keratin, which is similar to the protein that makes up human hair. When keratin is broken down naturally by microorganisms, the products do not pose any environmental hazard.
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WOOL BIODEGRADES QUICKLY
Wool biodegrades readily in as little as three to four months but the rate varies with soil, climate and wool characteristics. This releases essential elements such as nitrogen, sulphur and carbon back to the soil, able to be taken up by growing plants. Some studies found more rapid degradation after only four weeks’ burial in soils. When wool biodegrades, it also releases carbon back into the soil as part of the natural carbon cycle.
Research has shown that processing treatments such as dyeing and anti-shrink treatment can affect the rate of biodegradation in soil. Dyeing may cause an increase in the initial resistance of wool fabric to degradation, but this is typically a short term effect not persisting beyond eight weeks. On the other hand, recent research has shown that the Chlorine-Hercosett anti-shrink treatment applied to wool (which enables wool garments to be machine-washable) can accelerate biodegradation. It does this by removing some of the fibre’s cuticle (its armour plating) rendering it more susceptible to microbial degradation.
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MICROFIBRES AND MICROPLASTICS?
Microfibres: Minuscule fibres that have a linear mass of less than 1 decigram. All fibres shed microfibres but depending on the materials they are made of, some microfibres biodegrade whilst others do not. Microfibres shed from natural fibres such as wool WILL biodegrade whereas microfibres from synthetic fibres will not biodegrade.
Microplastics: Microfibres made from synthetic materials such as acrylic, polypropylene, polyester and polyamide that have a diameter less than 5mm (0.2 inches). Microplastics are not biodegradable and result from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste.
For facts check and to learn even more
Do not hesitate to find facts check for this newsletter, plus download Wool Facts sheet at our friends from The Woolmark Company to learn even more about this topic.
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You want to get the benefits of wool in your own production?
At Private Label by JBS Textile Group, we have a broad range and extensive program of wool products for socks, underwear, accessories, baselayer, midlayer and outerlayer.
Do not hesitate to reach out to me at?[email protected]?- if you want to hear more about how we can assist you with amazing wool products.
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About Private Label By JBS Textile Group
JBS Textile Group is a family-owned business founded in 1939. We develop and produce Private Label collections in close collaboration with major customers. JBS HQ is located in Denmark, and we have 4 fully owned factories in Lithuania and Ukraine. We currently also boast a total of 20 own brands.
Read more about all the possibilities in Private Label:?Private Label by JB Textile Group